Cartoon Capers
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issue 2 63 27 December 2013
Local Sports Classifieds Weird News Strewth, Mate!
annus horribilis good riddance to 2013 - a wet, windy and chaotic year
hua hin, THAILAND So we come to the last issue of AWOL of 2013, and as is traditional at this time of year we both look back on the last 12 months as well as look forward to the next. It has to be said that for most people in the Hua Hin area 2013 was not a good year. Businesses suffered as the last high season ended earlier and more abruptly than expected, while prices for most items went up, particularly food and beverages. Selling second hand cars became more difficult as the government’s new car incentive killed the market, while property sales continued to be sluggish in the pre-owned market; these last two hindered many expats who had decided to move away from the area. The two biggest negatives that affected almost everybody though were the weather and the political shenanigans; unprecedented levels of rainfall and high winds wreaked havoc everywhere, while the ongoing political protests have had a serious impact on the tourist trade, and at the same time causing businesses to put plans on hold, with the country’s future leadership and direction uncertain. We also lost several stalwarts of the expat community this year, and our heartfelt wishes go to all who have been bereaved in these twelve months. The brightest spots of the year were the return of Their Majesties the King and Queen to Hua Hin and the subsequent birthday celebrations, as well as the encouraging and continuing efforts by the local authorities to improve the area’s infrastructure, with clear progress in a number of areas but most notably the roads. 2014 will start under the same political cloud, but hopefully some sense will be made of the situation and the tourists will subsequently return. It must also be hoped that the freakish weather was just that and not a new standard. All in all, most will be glad to see the back of 2013.
Victor
guesthouse open 24/7
Naresdamri Rd. opposite Brasserie de Paris
Rooms/family suites in heart of Hua Hin a/c, lcd tv, dvd player, fridge, free premium wifi, cable TV www.victorguesthousehuahin.com
GET RACING FROM ONLY 400 BAHT! OPEN EVERYDAY 10.30AM - 7PM, LATE NIGHT BY APPOINTMENT Call 032 547 199 (Office) or 081 817 3000 (Mobile) Soi 2, Phetchkasem Road opposite Hua Hin Airport
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HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL AT AWOL